kellen Posted February 24, 2008 Share Posted February 24, 2008 My car was getting 20-24 miles per gallon before I moved out west. 4-5 months ago I changed my timing belt and O2 sensor. Around that same time my gas level gauge empty light started not coming on. I ran out of gas in Montana because I was only getting 12-14 mpg and wasn't expecting it. I purchased a Bosch O2 sensor from Autozone, probably a universal. The car passed Oregon emissions right away... When I start the car in the mornings the exhaust is very rich and cloudy, smells of gas. Also, when I plug in the green OBD1 connectors it makes a beeping buzzing noise and doesn't read out any codes. Any help would be mucho appreciated as always! If I was to get a Voltometer and try to test out the O2 sensor and the engine coolant temp sensor, how do I do that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durania Posted February 24, 2008 Share Posted February 24, 2008 Let's start with the basic, when was the air filter last replaced? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericem Posted February 24, 2008 Share Posted February 24, 2008 Do you still have the old oxygen sensor? Put it back! You might as well just change the coolant sensor as it isn't expensive and ya check your air filter! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted February 24, 2008 Share Posted February 24, 2008 My car was getting 20-24 miles per gallon before I moved out west. 4-5 months ago I changed my timing belt and O2 sensor. Doe it run and idle correctly??? Perhaps you have one cam slightly off?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted February 24, 2008 Share Posted February 24, 2008 Doe it run and idle correctly??? Perhaps you have one cam slightly off?? Thats what i am thinking. nipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted February 24, 2008 Share Posted February 24, 2008 If I was to get a Voltometer and try to test out the O2 sensor and the engine coolant temp sensor, how do I do that? You can't test an O2 sensor with a DVM (unless you have one of those Fluke portable O-Scope ones ). The CTS is really just an RTD (resistive temperature device - probably a thermistor), and will give a resistance based on the temp it sees. As long as it changes from low resistance to high resistance as the engine warms up, it's likely ok. I also vote for valve timing. It's very easy to accidentally get the cam sprockets off by a tooth. GD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kellen Posted February 25, 2008 Author Share Posted February 25, 2008 I changed the t-belt 4 months ago, drove 4000 mile road trip. put another 2000 miles here in portland. water pump went out. had to disassemble the t-belt assembly to replace the pump. when I took apart i didn't notice the tooth off. when I put back together I was extra sure that it was aligned. Its not idling funny or running rough. I think I threw away the old O2 sensor. I'll go buy an OE one. I replaced the coolant sensor about 2 years ago. I'll check the air filter. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 Dumb Question, you did unplug the green diagnostic connectors didnt you? nipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manarius Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 Even dumber question, are you calculating the mileage correctly? ie. starting from a full tank, driving for a while, filling it full and dividing the number of miles driven since you first filled up by the number of gallons you put in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lostinthe202 Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 Around that same time my gas level gauge empty light started not coming on. I ran out of gas in Montana because I was only getting 12-14 mpg and wasn't expecting it. Perhaps your gauge is gummy and not reading correctly. Maybe try running some cleaner for a tank or two and see if it helps. Of course, if you're calculating your mileage correctly, this doesn't help much. But I thought I'd throw it out there. Good Luck! Will- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kellen Posted February 26, 2008 Author Share Posted February 26, 2008 Let's start with the basic, when was the air filter last replaced? Air Filter was replaced 10K ago. Its still very clean, just checked it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigbusa Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 My 96 obs 2.2L has been getting 14 MPG since I've owned it (about 500 miles total). The engine runs and idles great! I hope you figure your issue out so I can learn from you. So far, I've replaced my air filter & PCV with no difference in MPG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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